Reactions to the Waste Transfer Station in South Corfu

There were new developments in the issue of waste collection in South Corfu. After the issue that had arisen in the previous period between the municipal authority and the company responsible for the collection of rubbish, Recycling Works IKE, a new contract was signed to load and transport 9,500 tons of waste with the company KRONOS EKO S.A. This development has sparked reactions from residents, as they believe that the plot that is planned to be used for the Waste Transfer Station is inappropriate.

Kostas Lessis: "Allow the pilot operation of the Waste Transfer Station"

Enimerosi contacted the South Corfu Mayor Kostas Lessis, who said that it was about 15 residents who peacefully prevented the waste collection trucks from entering the Waste Transfer Station. The Mayor asked the residents to allow the pilot operation of the Waste Transfer Station in order for it to prove its suitability. If it is proven to cause pollution then the contract will be terminated.

The licence granted to the company by the Ionian Islands Regional Department of Environment and Spatial Planning has been checked by the Court of Auditors, so it must be proven in practice that the private individual does not comply with the contract specifications.

As Mr. Lessis said, the company's people have promised to transport the Waste Transfer Station if the citizens see that it causes some pollution. It is a mobile Station, which can be transported wherever the Municipality tells them.

Rubbish currently remains on the roads because it is not possible to collect it.

Nikos Goussis: "The Waste Transfer Station is provocative"

DIMOSYN leader Nikos Goussis told Enimerosi that the contract was signed four days ago and concerned 9,500 tons of waste that will be transferred to Palairos.

The problem, according to Mr. Goussis, is that for the first time a private Waste Transfer Station is being used, located 25 meters from a house and it is a plot that does not comply with the necessary specifications.

Specifically, he said that "the Waste Transfer Station is very provocative; without anyone knowing anything, they managed to get a permit saying that the plot is suitable and also got an operating licence without any work being done inside, no concreting, no rubbish going to industrial concrete, no tanks for the waste water, no fences, no roof, no connection to the water and electricity networks, it works with a generator."

He also added that "it is basically getting licences that citizens cannot see and thus we have reactions."

When asked about whether checks were made for all of that, he said "Can we really say that checks are being made in Greece?"

After the issue that was created, the South Corfu Municipality announced an emergency meeting of the Municipal Council, following a request by the minority parties, with the only discussion topic being the "Information on the operation of the South Corfu Waste Transfer Station".

The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 22 November at 17:00 at the Lefkimmi Junior High and High School.

VASSILIS PANTAZOPOULOS

Photo: Enimerosi archive